For the record the Play/Pause on the Apple Remote and the function keys on the keyboard work fine with VLC (10.8 Mountain Lion, MacBook Pro with Retina display). The problem is only when using the controls on the Apple EarPods.
– KrinkleMar 17 '13 at 16:27

unfortunately if the mic isn't causing the right response from Spotify, it must have only been programmed to work with iTunes. did they work on Windows, or is there any other reason for you to expect them to work?
– calql8edkosApr 1 '13 at 21:16

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